LIBRARY OF .CONGRESS. 




'b(=> doping*}! !f a- 



3*£ 



Shelf a . 

I UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 

L 



' < 



A GUIDE TO A PRACTICAL ACQUAINTANCE 
WITH THE ART OF 



CONDENSED LONG-HAND, 



By means of which the Principal Advantages of Short- 
hand ARE SECURED WITHOUT RESORT TO STENOGRAPHIC 

Characters and with perfect legibility, 



BY EUGENE BENETT. 



" Who that is much in the habit of writing, has not often wished 
for some means of expressing by two or three dashes of the pen, that 
which as things are, it requires such an expenditure of time and labor 
to commit to paper ? Our present mode of communication must be 
felt to be cumbersome in the last degree; unworthy of these days of 
invention; we require some means of bringing the operations of the 
mind, and of the hand, into closer correspondence. The brightest 
thoughts are often marred in the writing." 



EDITION OF 25,000. 



NEW YORK : 

J. PRICE, PRINTER, 

62 Duane Street. 

1884. 



"Our living floe* s of thoughts need no longer trudge it slowly 
and wearily down the pen and along the paper, hindering each 
other as they struggle through the strait gate of the old hand- 
writing. Our troops of feelings need no more crawl, as snails crawl, 
to their station on the page : regiment after regiment may now trot 
briskly forward, to fill paragraph after paragraph : and writing, 
once a trouble, is now at breathing-ease. Our kind and loving 
thoughts, warm and transparent, liquid as melted from the hot 
heart, shall no longer grow opaque, and freeze with a tedious drib- 
bling from the pen; but the whole soul may now pour itself forth 
in a sweet shower of words Condensed Long-hand will be of a 
use in the world hitherto undreamed of." 



Condensed Long-hand is nothing new; it has been in daily use for 
years, and is the practical result of many days of labor with the pen. 



Copyright secured 1884, by Eugene Benett. 
Right of translations reserved. 



c* 



*\s 



Jb 



INTRODUCTION. 



When Condensed Longrhand was first constructed, the practice of 
it was almost confined to the reporting of speeches and sermons by 
professional writers for the press ; the art is now in daily use, li e 
ordinary long-hand, by thousands of persons in all parts of the world 
where the English language is spoken This extended practice of it 
has been effected by the ever-increasing activity of the age, and by 
the simplicity and efficiency of the system which has thus com- 
mended itself to public favor. As the causes which have produced 
this result continue in full force, the effects must increase until 
Condensed Long-hand shall become the general medium of commu- 
nication by writing. 

The great and desirable object which the Author believes he has 
accomplished in the construction of Condensed Long-hand, is briefly 
this : — The representation of every word that occurs in the Eng- 
lish language, by the simple consonants which enter into their com- 
bination, and the placing of these consonants in either of the three 
positions above, on or through the line according to the vowel which 
is accented in the word and which gives it its most prominent sound 
(the same rule as in Stenography) These signs being of the briefest 
description, Condensed Long-hand is necessarily a system of Short- 
hand ; but it must be seen, from what has been stated, that it is 
radically distinct from all systems of mere Stenography. In Con- 
densed Lo g-hand, it may almost be said that the very sound of 
every word is made visible ; whereas, in deciphering any of the 
common systems of Stenography, the context, the memory, the 
judgment— all must be called in to assist the eye. This is the great 
obstacle which has hitherto prevented Stenography from coming 
into general use Its illegibi ity when written makes us fear to 
trust our thoughts to its faithless keeping, and renders it quite in- 
sufficient to supersede common writing, as a means of general com- 
munication, 

Condensed Long-hand combines the legibility of ordinary Long- 
hand, with the brevity of Short-hand The system is capable of 
answering every requirement of the man of science or business, as 
well as of the professional reporter ; yet it is so simple, that its 
principles may be mastered in a few hours, and an hour's daily prac- 
tice for a week, in reading and writing, will enable the student to 
use it with safety and some degree of freedom ; while the same 
amount of practice, continued for a month, will enable anyone who 
has acquired facility in using the pen in common writing, to re- 
port speeches, sermons, lectures, etc., delivered at the rate of a 
hundred words per minute. 

The student of Condensed Long-hand will find no difficulty in ac- 
quiring a knowledge of this most useful art, if he will practice 
according to directions : — He should first obtain a thorough know- 
ledge of the vowels and their places, (as displayed on page 5.) 

Rapidity and accuracy combined can be attained by a little prac- 
tice It is necessary to use ruled paper when writing Condensed 
Long-hand. Either a pen or a pencil may be employed. 



Origin of the Present System of 
CONDENSED LONG-HAND. 



All the systems of Stenography or Phonography which have yet 
been published, have consisted simply of lines or curves drawn 
light or heavy to represent the consonants of the words of the lan- 
guage. The idea of the Authors was to show the consonants ; the 
vowels of course were not required. The accented vowel was seen by 
the position of the characters on, above or through the line. With 
the consonants and accented vowel the word could be very easily 
read. When any one of these various systems of Stenography or 
Phonography had been learned by months of careful study, and 
put to the test by daily use, they were found in nearly every case 
unfit for practice : except by a genius possessed of an extraordinary 
memory; one who rather remembered the matter than read the 
characters he had formed. He was, perhaps, a youth — or at least had 
learned the art while his memory was yet fresh. The majority of 
people found it impossible, practically, to trace the outlines rapidly 
with such accuracy as to be able the next day to know what phono- 
graphic letters they represented The great difficulty came in try- 
ing to distinguish what letters the different characters were in- 
tended to represent. If they were drawn nicely, and looked clear 
and plain, the task of reading them became an easy one. — Then 
practical people suggested the propriety of substituting the ordi- 
nary writing letters of Long-hand for the Stenographic characters. 
Although the speed would be thereby somewhat decreased the re- 
sult would be a gain in legibility. The mysteries of Stenography 
were accordingly, abondoned for something which could be easily 
formed and read without hesitation Somthing which could be 
easily learned, understood and remembered without taxing the 
memory with numberless groups of optional lines and curves. 
Condensed Long-hand replaces the Stenographic signs by the ordi- 
nary written letters, in the three different positions for the accented 
vowel of the word ; thus reducing Stenography to a practical 
system of Short-hand. With the consonants and accented vowel 
every word in the English language can be read. ** These pages con- 
tain the leading principles as practiced ; the student will find very 
little that is hard to learn, after he has mastered the vowels and 
their positions. This table should claim his first attention, (it will 
take but twenty minutes at the most, to firmly fix it in the memory), as 
it is very necessary in order to thoroughly understand what follows. 



CONDENSED LONG-HAND. 



VOWELS AND DIPHTHONGS. 

SIMPLE VOWELS. 



LONG. 


SHORT. 


Sound. Posit'n. 


Sound. Posit'n. 


Sound. Posit'n. 


Sound. Posit'n. 


as in 


as in 


as in 


as in 


AH half 1 1 


AWthowght 1 1 


a that 1 1 


6 not 1 1 


EH pay 'j 2 


OH so -| 2 


gpen *| 2 


xi one -| 2 


EEshe .| 3 


00 poor J 3 


1 is .| 3 


66 foot J 3 



DIPHTHONGS. 

I | as in my. OW 3. | as in now. 01 | as in otl.U. 3. | as in new 

ORDER OF THE VOWELS. 
The order of the simple vowels may be remembered by saying : — 
Long Vowels. — Half pay she thought so poor. 

Short Vowels. — That pen is not one (pronounced wwn) foot [in 
length]. 

Other sentences in which the effect of r upon a preceding vowel 
is heard, are, 

Long Vowels. — ^wnt, spare me all those spoons. 
Short Vowels. — Are her figs or furs good ? 



The positions of the vowels are represented in above table by fig- 
ures : 1, meaning the letters are written above the line ; 2, resting 
on the line ; 3, they are written through the line. 

Hence, if the sound of the vowel of a word is AH as in half ; AW 
as in thought; a" as in that or 6 as in not, the condensed form of the 
word is to be written in the first position, viz: above the line. If 
the sound of the vowel is EH as in pay; OH as in so; e as in pen or 
6 as in one, the form is to be placed in the second position, that is, 
on the line And if the vowel is EE as in she; 00 as in poor; i as in 
is or 66 as in foot, the word must be written through the line. With 
the diphthongs, if the vowel sounds I as in my, the word is written 
in the first position. OW as in now in the third position. 01 as in 
oil in the first position, and U as in new in the third position. 

These are all the vowels to be met with, in the language. 



CONDENSED DONG-HAND. 



When there are more than one vowel, the position of a word is de- 
termined by the accented vowel. That is to say, the vowel which is 
most distinctly heard in the pronunciation of the word. 



Bern (2) Become. 
Bgn (3) Begin. 
D (3) Do 
Dbl (2) Double. 
Dt(3) Doubt. 



EXAMPLES. 

H (3) He. 
Ech (3) Each. 
Fr (1) For. 
Frm (1) From. 
G (2) Go. 



H(3) How 
Lk (1) Like. 
M (3) Me. 
Md (2) Made. 
N(2) No. 



By singing a word containing a vowel, the true sound will be 
heard in the long sound thus produced. Compare pick, peek ; cot, 
caught. 

SHOKT VOWELS. 

The greatest difficulty which most learners experience, lies in 
catching the true sounds of the short vowels. Having been accus- 
tomed all their lives to say eh t, at ; p ee t, pet ; eye t,it; n oh t, not ; 
you s, us, they suppose that these letters really make the syllables 
which follow ; but they do not. This difficulty arises from calling 
the five vowels eh, ee, eye, oh, you. Formerly they were called ah, eh, 
ee, oh, oo. These are the sounds they generally receive in words, 
and they must be so named in writing 

The short sound of a in mate i,s e (say eh quickly) in met. 

The short sound of e in mete is i (say ee quickly) in mit 

The long i in pine, being a diphthong, has no short sound. 

The short sound of aw in naught is o (say aw quickly) in not. 

The short sound of o in note is very nearly u \uh) in nut. 

The long u, in tune, being a diphthong, has no short sound. 



If a word begins with a vowel it is always better to write the 
vowel, in order to guard against mistakes in the reading. 



Ofn (1) Often. 
Ot (1) Ought. 



Ops (2) 
If (3) 



EXAMPLES. 

Oppose. 
If. 



IJnn (3) Union. 
Agr. (3) 



CONDENSED LONG-HAND. 



EXCEPTIONS. 
XI (2) Excel. Xmn (1) Examine. Undrstnd (1) Understand. 

And a few others, which will be discovered in practice. 

It will be seen that the preceding abbreviations are composed of 
one or more of the consonant letters used in the construction of 
the syllables they represent, the vowels being omitted. With a lit- 
tle experience, they will be as easily read as if written in full. Ex- 
perience has shown that such omission does not impair the legibil- 
ity of writing. 



One is struck with the fact that the words used in conversation 
or composition in any department of human thought are relatively 
few in number. An extended investigation of this subject will 
demonstrate the fact, that a few hundred primitive words, most of 
which undergo but slight modifications in form, in accordance with 
the requirements of gramatical usage in respect to number, gender, 
person, mood and tense, or their transfer for use as other parts of 
speech; embrace fully nineteen-twentieths of the language ordina- 
rily employed. 

It is of the first importance that the learner should read every 
exercise he has written that his eye may become familiarized with 
the words represented. 

In ordinary' spelling the letters SE and the letter S are often used 
to represent the sound of Z. In the case of certain suffixes, the leg- 
ibility of the abbreviations may often be increased by employing 
the letter Z therefor. 

EXAMPLES. 

Xrcz (2) Exercise. Dfz (3) Diffuse. Dmz (1) Demise. 

Rfz (3) Refuse. Rmtzm (3, Rheumatism. Rvz (1) Revise. 



Whenever practicable, it is desirable to economize finger move- 
ment by avoiding the complex and irregular spelling of many words 
in the language. To this end, as a rule, silent and superfluous let- 



CONDENSED LONG-HAND. 



ters should be omitted. The following examples will illustrate 
this manner of abbreviation : 



Words. Condensed. 
Attempt Atmt (2) 
Caught Cot (1) 
Doubt Dt (3) 
Plough Plw (3) 
Rough Rf(3) 



Words. Condensed. 
Though Tho (3) 
Track Trk (1) 
Brought Brt (1) 
Cough Cf(l) 
Empty Emt (2^ 



Words. Condensed. 
Neighbor Nbr i2) 
Prompt Prmt (1) 
Sick Sk (8) 
Whole HI (2) 
Through Thr [3) 



PHONETIC EMPLOYMENT OF CONSONANTS. 

In ordinary spelling the letter G is often used to represent the 
sound of J, the letter C to represent the sound of K, and the letter S 
to represent the sound of Z and Zh. As J, K and Z are but little 
used in the written language, legibility will often be increased by 
employing them in the places of G, C and S. Examples : 



Words. Condensed. 


Words. Condensed. 


Words. Condensed 


Carry Kry (1) 


Business Bzns (3) 


Wharfage Wrfj (1) 


Copy Kpy (1) 


Choose Chz (3) 


Always Alwz (1) 


Catch Kch (1) 


Diffuse Dfz (3) 


Busy Bz (3) 


Court Krt(2) 


Easiness Ezns (3) 


Cause Kz (1) 


Badge Bj (1) 


Leisure Lzr (3) 


Devise Dvz (1) 


Dodge Dj (1) 


Please Plz (3) 


Ease Ez (3) 


Large Lj (1) 


Provizo Prvzo (1) 


Has Hz (1) 


Manage Mnj (1) 


Begrudge Bgrj (2) 


Measure Mzr (2) 


Village VLj (3) 


Drudge Drj (2) 


Pleasure Plzr (2) 


Advise Advz (1) 


Lodge Lj (1) 


Reason Rzn (3) 


As Az (1) 


Suggest Sjst(2) 


Treason Trzn (3) 



Of the words in frequent use, a few, by reason of their extreme 
brevity, or because of their liability to be mistaken for others if 
written in shortened form, must be written wholly, or in part, with 
their vowel letters. As they form exceptions to the general rule, 
they should be used in practice until they are committed to 
memory. 

WORDS TO BE WRITTEN WITHOUT ABBREVIATION. 



Ago 


Got 


Led 


Sat 


Att\ 


Held 


Met 


Step 


At 


If 


On 


Us 


By 


Is 


Our 


We 



CONDENSED LONG-HAND. 



It will sometimes happen that the same combination will repre- 
sent two or more words; in such cases, generally, the context will 
determine which word is intended. 

With a proper abbreviation for the most frequently recurring 
words in the language, the speed of an expert may be readily in- 
creased to from 120 to 150 words a minute — a rate sufficiently rapid 
for all uses except for reporting the utterances of swift speakers. 

The word " And " is represented by &. It occurs very frequently. 

The learner must constantly bear in mind the necessity of read- 
ing and re-reading the preceding exlanations until he has acquired 
a thorough knowledge of the methods employed for shortened rep- 
resentation and the principles upon which the system is based. In 
connection with the reading, it is of equal importance that he prac- 
tice the abbreviations used in illustration thereof, until speed has 
been acquired in writing them and they are fixed in the memory. 
Each exercise so written should be read by the learner until his eye 
is so far educated that the abbreviations will readily convey to his 
mind a knowledge of the words they represent. Supposing him to 
have been thus through in pursuing his study and practice, he 
should next begin a course of practice with the abbreviations of 
those words which are in such frequent use in the construction of 
the language as to constitute fully three-fifths of the words em- 
ployed in speech and composition. They are about 350 in number. 



AN ALPHABETICAL LIST OF WORDS IN MOST FREQUENT 
USE, WITH THEIR ABBREVLVTIONS. 



A A (2) 
About Abt (3) 
Above Abv (2) 
According Acrdng(l) 
Across Acrs (1) 
After Aftr(I) 
Afternoon Aftrnn (3) 
Afterward Aftrwd (1) 
Afterwards Aftrwds(l) 



Again Agn (2) 
Against Agnst (2) 
Ago Ago (2) 
All Al(l) 
Almost Almst (2) 
Already Alrd (2) 
Also Als (2) 
Altogether Altgthr(2) 
Always Alwz (2 y 



Am Am (1) 
Among Amng (2) 
Amongst Amgnst (2) 
An A(l) 
And & (2) 
Another Aothr (2) 
Any Ay (2) 
Anybody Aybd (1) 
Anything Aythng (2) 



10 



CONDENSED LONG-HAND. 



Anywhere Aywhr (2) 
Anywise Aywz (1) 
Are R(l) 
Around Arnd (3) 
As Az(l) 
At At(l) 
Away Awa (2) 
Be B(3) 

Backward Bkwrd(l) 
Because Bcz (1) 
Been Bn (3) 
Before Bfr (2) 
Beforehand Bfhnd (2) 
Behalf Bhf (1) 
Behind Bhnd (1) 
Being Bng (3) 
Beside Bsd (1) 
Besides Bsdz (1) 
Best Bst(2) 
Better Btr (2) 
Between Btw (3) 
Beyond Bynd (1) 
But Bt(2) 
By By(l) 
Can Cn (1) 
Can't Cnt(l) 
Certain Crtn (2) 
Certainly Crtnl (2) 
Could Cd (3) 
Day Da (2) 
Did Dd(3) 
Do D(3) 
Double Dbl (2) 
Down Dn (3) 
During Drng (3) 
Each Ech (3) 
Eight 8 
Eighth 8h 
Eighteen 18 
Eighty 80 



Eighty-one 81 
Either Ethr (3) 
Eleven 11 
Else Els (2) 
Elsewhere Elswr (2) 
Enough Enf (2) 
Entirely Ntrly (1) 
Even Evn (3) 
Evening Evng (3) 
Ever Evr (2) 
Every Evry (2) 
Everybody Evrybd(l) 
Everything Evrytg (3) 
Everywhere 

Evrywr (2) 
Except Xcpt (2) 

Far Er (1) 

Farther Frthr (1) 
Few Fu(3) 
Fifteen 15 
First Frst(2) 
Five 5 
Fifth 5h 
Fifty 50 
Fifty-one 51 
For F 

Forenoon Fnn (3) 
Forever Fevr (1) 
Former Fmr (1) 
Formerly Fmrly (1) 
Forty 40 
Forty-one 41 
Forward Fwd (1) 
Four 4 
Fourth 4h 
Fourteen 14 
Frequent Fqnt (3) 
From Frm (1) 
Full Fl(3) 
Further Frthr (2) 



Had Hd(l) 

Half Hf(l) 

Has Hz (1) 

Have V(l) 

He H (3) 

Hence Hnc (2) 

Her Hr(2) 

Here Hr (3) 

Hereafter Hraf (1) 
j Herein Hrn (3) 
\ Heretofore Hrtfr (2) 

Herself Hrsf (2) 

Him Hm (3) 
j Himself Hmsf (2) 

His Hs (3) 

Hither Hthr (3) 

Hour Our (3) 

How H(3) 

However Hevr (2) 

I KD 
If If (3) 

Immediate Imdt (3) 

Immediately Imdtl(3) 

In In (3) 

Indeed Indd (3) 

Infrequent Infqnt (3) 

Instead Instd (2) 

Into Int(3) 

Is Is 

It T(3) 

Itself Tsf(2) 

Just Jst ( 2 

Last Lst(l) 

Latter Ltr (1 ) 
i Latterly Ltrl (3) 
; Less Ls (2) 

Like Lk (1) 
i Likely Lkey (1) 

Likewise Lkwz (1) 
i Many Mny (1) 
JMay Ma (2) 



CONDENSED LONG-HAND. 11 


Me M (3) 


Oh Oh (2) 


| Sixty-one 61 


Mere Mr (3) 


On On (1) 


■ So S (2) 


Messrs Msrs (2) 


Once One (2) 


Some Sm (1) 


Might Mt (1) 


One hundred 100 


Somebody Smbd (1) 


Mine Mn (1) 


Only oy(l) 


Something Smtg (3) 


Minute Mnt (3) 


Or R(2) 


Somewhere Smwr (2) 


Miss Ms (3) 


Other Othr (2) 


Soon Sn (3) 


Mister Mr (3) 


Otherwise Othrwz (1) 


Still Stl (3) 


Mistress Mrs (3) 


Ought Ot (1) 


Subsequent Sbsqnt(2) 


Moment Mmnt (2) 


Our Our (3) 


Such Sch (2) 


Month Mnth (2) 


Ourselves Oursvz (1) 


Sure Sur (3) 


More Mr (2) 


Out Ot (3) 


Take Tk (2) 


Morning Mrng (1) 


Over Ovr (2) 


TeU Tl (2) 


Most Mst (2) 


Own On (2) 


Ten 10 


Much Mch (2) 


Particular Prtclr (3) 


Than Thn (1) 


Must Mst (2) 


Perhaps Prhps (1) 


That Tt (1) 


My M(l) 


Previous Prvs (3) 


The Th (3) 


Myself Msf(l) 


Quarter. Qrtr (1) 


Their Thr (2) 


Near Nr (3) 


Rather Rthr (1) 


Them Thm (2) 


Neither Nthr (3) 


Really Rly (3) 


Themselves Thmsv(2) 


Never Nv (2) 


Recent Rent (3) 


Then Thn (2) 


Nevertheless Nv-ls (2) 


Right Rt (1) 


Thence Thnc (2) 


New N (3) 


Same Sam (2) 


Thenceforth 


Next Nx (2) 


Second 2d 


Thncfr (2) 


Night Nt (1) 


Seldom Sldm (2) 


Thenceforward 


Nine 9 


Seven 7 


Thncfwd (2) 


Ninth 9h 


Seventh 7h 


There Thr (2) 


Nineteen 19 


Seventeen 17 


Thereby Thrb (1) 


Ninety 90 


Seventy 70 


Therefore Thrfr (2) 


Ninety-one 91 


Seventy-one 71 


Thereof Throf (1) 


No N (2) 


Several Svrl (2) 


Thereunder Thrnd (2) 


Nobody Nbd (2) 


Shall Shi (1) 


Thereupon Thrpn [.) 


Nor Nr (2) 


She Sh (3) 


These Tz (3) 


Not Nt (1) 


Should Shd (3) 


They Th (2) 


Nothing Ntg(2) 


Since Snc (3) 


Third 3d 


Now Nw (3) 


Sir Sr (1) 


Thirteen 13 


Nowhere Nwr (2) 


Six 6 


This Ths (3) 


Of Of(l) 


Sixth 6h 


Thither Ththr (3) 


Often Ofn (1) 


Sixteen 16 


Those Thz (2) 


Oftentimes Ofntmz(l) 


Sixty 60 


Though Tho (2) 



12 



CONDENSED LONG-HAND. 



Through Thr (3) 
Throughout Thrt (3) 
Till Tl(3) 
To T(3) 
To-day Td (2) 
To-morrow Tmro (1) 
Toward Trd (2) 
Towards Trdz (2) 
Two 2 
Twelve 12 
Twenty 20 
Twenty-one 21 
Uncertain Uncrtn (2) 
Under Ndr (2) 
Underneath 

Ndrnth (3) 
Unfrequent 

Unfrqnt (3) 
Unless Unls (2) 
Unlike Unlk (1) 
Until Untl(3) 
Unusual Unuzl (3) 
Up P(2) 
Upon Pn (1) 



Upward Pwd (2) 
Us Us (2) 
Usual Uzl(3) 
Very Vr (2) 
Was Wz (1) 
Way W (2) 
Ways Wz (2) 
We We (3) 
Week Wk (3) 
Well Wl(2) 
Were Wr (2) 
What Wt (1) 
Whatever Wtevr (2) 
When Wn (2) 
Whenever Wnevr (2) 
Where Whr (2) 

Whereabouts 

Wrabt (3) 



Whereas 
Whereby 
Wherein 
Whereof 
Whether 



Wraz (1) 
Wrb (1) 
Wrn (3) 
Wrof (1) 
Wthr (2) 



Which Whc (3) 
Whichever Whcevr(2) 
While Whl(l) 
Whilst Whist (1) 
Who Wh (3) 
Whoever Whevr (2) 
Whom Whm (3) 
Why Wh (1) 
Will Wl(3) 
With Wth(3) 
Within Wthn(3) 
Without Wthot (3) 
Would Wd (3) 

Year Yr (3) 
Yes Ys(2) 
Yes sir Yss (2) 
Yesterday Ystrd (2) 
Yet Yt(2) 
Yonder Yndr (1) 
You Y(3) 
Your Yr(3) 
Yourself Yrsf (2) 
Yourselves Yrsvz (2) 



The foregoing list of words which are such important factors in 
the composition of the current language, should be thoroughly 
practiced until they can be written and read with ease and facility. 
This accomplished, the learner may proceed to practice the abbre- 
viations of the other words in common use. This will be found to 
be an easy task. Fully two-thirds of such words are composed in 
part of prefixes or suffixes, or both; the abbreviations for which 
joined to the other letters are in most cases keys to interpret the 
words. With a knowledge of the principles impressed on the 
mind, the composition of the abbreviations will readily suggest the 
words they represent. But as a guide to the learner, that his prac- 
tice may be restricted to those words which, with those he has al- 
ready learned, make up the great body of the language, a further list 
of words in common use. with their abbreviations, is added. These 
should be practiced until they are both written and read with 
readiness. 



CONDENSED LONG-HAND. 



13 



AN ALPHABETICAL LIST OF WORDS IN COMMON USE, WITH 
THEIR ABBREVIATIONS; 



Able Abl(2) 
Absent Absnt (2) 
Absence Absnc (2) 
Absolute Absolt(3) 
Accept Accp (2) 
Acceptance Accpnc(2) 
Accommodate 

Acmdt (2) 
Accommodation 

Acmdtn (2) 
Accompany 

Acmpny (3) 

Accomplish 

Acmplsh (3) 

Account Acnt (3) 
Accustom Acstm (2) 
Acknowledge Akng(l) 
Acquaint Aqnt (2) 
AcquaintanceAqtnc(2) 
Acquire Aqr (1) 
Act Act(l) 
Action Actn (1) 
Addition Adtn (3) 
Address Adrs (2) 
Admit Admt (3) 
Admission Admsn (3) 
Advantage Adv (1) 
Advise Avz (1) 
Affect Afct(2) 
Affection Afctn (2) 
Affidavit Aft (2) 
Afraid Afrd (2) 
Agree Agr (3) 
Agreement Agrmnt(3) 
Alluae Aid (3) 
Allusion Alsn (3) 
America Amrc (2) 
American Amrcn (2) 
Amount Amnt (3) 



Answer Ans (1) 
Apartment 

Aprtmnt (1) 
Appear Apr (3) 
Appearance Aprnc (3) 
Apply Apl(l) 
Application Aplctn(2) 
Appoint Apnt (1) 
Appointment 

Apntmnt (1) 
April Apl (3) 
Approach Apch (2) 
Appropriate Apprt (2) 
Approve Aprv (3) 
Arrange Arng (2) 
Arrangement 

Arngmnt (2) 
Arrive Arv (1) 
Arrival Arvl (1) 
Ascertain Acrtn (2) 
Ask Ak (1) 
Assert Asrt (2) 
Assertion Asrtn (2) 
Assign Asn (1) 
Assist Asst (3) 
Assistance Asstnc (3) 
Association Asctn (2) 
Assure Asr (3) 
Assurance Asrnc (3) 
Assuredly Asrdy (3) 
Attempt Atmt (2) 
Attend Atnd (2) 
Attendance Atndnc(2) 
Attendant Atndnt (2) 
Attention Atntn (2) 
August Aug (1) 
Authority Athrt (1) 
Authorize Athrz (1) 
Avail Avl(3) 



I Available Avlbl (2) 
Aware Awr (2) 
Back Bk(l) 
Bad Bd (1) 
Balance Bal (1) 
Bear Br (2) 
Became Beam (2) 
Begin Bgn (3) 
Began Bgan (1) 
! Belief Blf (3) 
| Believe Blv (3) 
1 Benefit Bnft (3) 
I Book Bk (3) 
Brn(2) 
Brk (2) 
Brok (2) 
Bmg (3) 
Brot (1) 
Brthr (2) 



Born 

Break 

Broke 

Bring 

Brought 

Brother 



Business Bzns (3) 

Busv Bz (3) 

Buy Bv (1) 

Calculate Clclt(2) 

Calculation Clcltn (2) 

CaU CI (1) 

Came Cam (2) 

Capable Cpbl (2) 

Care Cr (2) 

Catch Kch (1) 

Cause Cz (i) 
j Cautious Coss (1) 

Cent Cnt (2) 

Center Cntr (2) 

Central Cntrl (2) 
; Chance Chnc (1) 
; Change Chng (2) 
; Character Chr (1) 

Charge Chg (1) 
; Choose Chz (3) 



14 



CONDENSED LONG-HIND. 



Circulation Crcltn (2) 
Circumstance 

Crstnc (1) 
City Cy(3) 
Claim Clm (2) 
Collect Clct(2) 
Collection Clctn (2) 
Come Cm (2) 
Commence Cmnc (2) 
Commencement 

Cmncmnt (2) 
Communicate 

Cmunct (2) 
Communication 

Cmunctn (2) 

Community Cmunt(3) 

Company Co (2) 

Compare Cmpr (2) 

Compel Cmpl (2) 

Completion 

Cmpltn (3) 

Comply Cmpl (1) 

Comprehend 

Cmprhnd (2) 

Conceive Cncv (3) 
Conception Cncptn(2) 
Concern Cncrn (2) 
Conclusion Cnclsn (3) 
Conduct Cndct (2) 
Confer Cnfr (2) 
Confession Cnfsn (2) 
Confidence Cnfdnc(2) 
Confident Cnfdnt (2) 
Confine Cnfn (1) 
Conformity Cnfmt(l) 
Connect Cnct (2) 
Connection Cnctn (2) 
Consequence 

Cnsqnc (2) 
Consequent Cnsqnt(2) 
Consider Cnsdr (3) 



Consideration 

Cnsdrtn (2) 
Constant Cnstnt (1) 
Constitute Cnsttt (3) 
Constitution 

Cnsttn (3) 
Continue Cntnu (1) 
Convenient Cnvnt (3) 
Convenience 

Cnvnc (3) 
Converse Cnvrs (2) 
Conversation 

Cnvrstn (2) 
Convince Cnvnc (3) 
Corner Crnr (1) 
Correct Crct (2) 
Correction Crctn (2) 
Correspond Crspnd(2) 
Correspondence 

Crspdnc (1) 
Cost Cst (1) 
Count Cnt (3) 
County Cnty (3) 
Country Cntry (2) 
Countryman 

Cntrymn (3) 
Course Crs (2) 
Credit Crdt (2) 
Custom Cstm (2) 
Danger Dngr (2) 
Daughter Dtr (1) 
Deal Dl (3) 
Dear Dr (3) 
Death Dh (2) 
Dead Dd (2) 
December Dec (2) 
Decent Dent (3) 
Decency Dene (3) 
Decide Dcd (1) 
Decision Dctn (3) 
Declare Dclr (2) 



Decline Dcln(l) 
Decrease Dcrs (3) 
Deem Dm (3) 
Deficient Df cnt (3) 
Degree Dgr (3) 
Deliver Dlvr (3) 
Deny Dny(l) 
Denial Dnyl (1) 
Depart Dprt (1) 
Depend Dpnd (2) 
Deserve Dsrv (2) 
Desire Dsr (1) 
Detail Dtl (2) 
Determine Dtrmn(2) 
Die Di(]) 
Different Dfrnt (3) 
Difference Dfrnc (3) 
Difficult Dfclt (3) 
Disappoint Dspnt (1) 
Discharge Dschg (1) 
Discover Dscvr (1) 
Discovery Dscvry (1) 
Dislike Dslk (1) 
Distant Dstnt (3) 
Distinct Dstnct (3) 
Distinction Dstntn(3) 
Distinguish Dstng (3) 
Divide Dvd (1) 
Division Dvsn (3) 
Dollar Dlr(l) 
Doubtful Dtfl (3) 
Dozen Dzn (1) 
Drop Drp (1) 
Due Du (3) 
Duly Buy (3) 
Duty Dy (3) 
Earth Erh (2) 
Easy Ezy (3) 
East Est (3) 
Effect Efct (2) 
Effectual Ef ctl (2) 



CONDENSED LONG-HAND. 15 


Effort Efrt (2) 


Expression Xprsn (2) 


Hand Hnd (1) 


Embrace Embrc (2) 


Extend Xtnd (2) 


Happen Hpn (1) 


Employ Empl (1) 


Extensive Xtnsv (2) 


Happy Hy (1) 


Employment 


Extreme Xtrm (3) 


Health Hlh (2) 


Emplmnt (1) 


Extraordinary 


Hear Hr (3) 


Enable Nbl (2) 


Xtrdnr (2) 


Held Held (2) 


End Nd (2) 


Fair Fr (2) 


High Hi(l) 


Endeavor Ndvr (2) 


Familiar Fml (3) 


Help Hip (2) 


Engage Ngj (2) 


Family Fray (1) 


Hold Hid (2) 


Engagement 


Fashion Fsn (1) 


Home Hm (2) 


Ngjmnt (2) 


Fast Fst (1) 


Honor Hnr (1) 


Enjoy Nj (1) 


Favor Fvr (2) 


Honorable Hnrbl (1) 


Enjoyment Njmnt(l) 


Favorable Fvrbl (2) 


Hope Hp (2) 


Ensue Nsu (3) 


February Feb (2) 


House Hs (3) 


Enter Ntr (2) 


Feel Fl(3) 


Human Hmn (3) 


Enterprise Ntrprz (1) 


Female Fern (2) 


Husband Hsbnd (2) 


Entertain Ntrtn (2) 


Final Fnl (1) 


Idea Id (3) 


Entertainment 


Find Fnd (1) 


Important Mprtnt (1) 


Ntrtnmnt (2) 


Fine Fn (1) 


Importance Mprtnc(l) 


Entire Ntr (1) 


Fix Fx (3) 


Impossible Mps (1) 


Equal Eql (3) 


Forget Fgt (2) 


Improve Mprv (3) 


Error Err (1) 


Forgot Fgot (1) 


Improvement 


Especial Espcl (2) 


Forth Frth(2) 


Mprvmnt (3) 


Essential Esntl (2) 
Establish Estb (1) 


Fortune Ftn (3) 
Fortunate Ftnt (2) 


Increase Incrs (3) 
Independent 

Indpndnt (2) 


Estimate Estmt (2) 


Found Fnd (3) 


Individual Indv (3) 


Event Evnt (2) 


Friday Frda (1; 


Infer Infr (2) 


Evident Evdnt (2) 


Friend Frnd (2) 


Inference Infrnc (2) 


Evidence Evdnc (2) 


Gather Gthr (1) 


Influence Inflnc (2) 


Exact Xct (1) 


Gave Gv (2) 


Inform Infm (1) 


Examination 


General Gn (2) 


Information 


. Xmntn (1) 


Gentleman Gnt (2) 


Infmtn (1) 


Excellence Xlnc (2) 


Get Gt(2) 


Inquire Inqr (1) 


Exception Xcptn (2) 


Got Got (1) 


Instant Istnt (1) 


Exchange Xch (2) 


Glad Gld (I) 


Intelligent Itlgnt (2) 


Expect Xpct (2) 


Go G (2) 


Intend Intnd (2) 


Experience Xprnc (3) 


Gone Gn (1) 


Intention Itntn (2) 


Explain Xpln (2) 


Good Gd (3) . . 


Intercourse Intrcrs(2) 


Explanation 


Grand Grnd (1) 


Interest Ntrst (2) 


Xplntn (2) 


Great Grt (2) . 


Interfere Xtrfr (3) 


Express Xprs (2) 


Habit Hbt(l) 


Interrupt Ntrpt (2) 



16 CONDENSED LONG-HAND. 


Interruption 


Luck Lck (2) 


Notify Ntf(l) 


Ntrptn (2) 


Madam Mdm (1) 


Notion Ntn(2) 


Interval Ntrvl (3) 


Made Md (2) 


November Nov (2) 


Interview Ntrvu (3) 


Main Mn (2) 


Number Nmbr (2) 


Introduce Ntrdc (3) 


Make Mk (2) 


Numerous Nmrs (1) 


Introduction 


Maker Mkr (2) 


Object Obj (1) 


Ntrdctn (2) 


Man Mn (1) 


Objection Objtn (2) 


Irregular Irg (2) 


Manage Mnj (1) 


Oblige Oblg(l) 


January Jan (1) 


Management 


Obligation Obgtn (2) 


Job Jb (1) 


Mnjmnt (1) 


Observe Obsrv (1) 


Join Jn (1) 


Manner Mnr (1) 


Observation 


Judge J (2) 


March Mar (1) 


Obsvtn (2) 


Judgment Jmnt (2) 


Mark Mrk (1) 


Obvious Obvs (3) 


July Jy (1) 


Matter Mtr (1) 


Occasion Ocsn (2) 


June Jn (3) 


May Ma (2) 


Occupation Ocptn (2) 


Keep Kp (3) 


Mean Mn (3) 


Occur Ocr "1) 


Knew N (3) 


Men Mn (2) 


Occurrence Ocrnc (2) 


Know N (2) 5 


Meet Mt(3) 


October Oct (2) 


Kindness Kndns (1) 


Mention Mutn (2) 


Offense Ofns (2) 


Lad Ld(l) 


Met Met (2) 


Offensive Ofnsv (2) 


Lady Ldy (2) 


Million Mln (3) 


Office Ofc(l) 


Large Lj (1) 


Mind Mnd (1) 


Official Ofsl(3) 


Late Lat (2) 


Misfortune Msftn (1) 


Oh Oh (2) 


Lay La (2) 


Mistake Mstk (2) 


Opinion Opn (3) 


Lead Ld (2) 


Monday Mnda (2) 


Operate Opr (2) 


Learn Lrn (2) 


Money Mny (2) 


Operation Oprtn (2) 


Leave Lev (3) 


Mortal Mrtl (1) 


Opportunity Oprt (3) 


Left Lf+ (2) 


Mother Mthr (2) 


Order Rdr (1) 


Length Lngh (2) 


Name Nm (2) 


Ordinary Rdry (1) 


Let Lt(2) 


Namely Nmy (2) 


Pair Pr(2) 


Letter Ltr (2) 


Nature Nat (2) 


Part Prt(l) 


Liable Lbl (1) 


Natural Natl (1) 


Partial Prtl (1) 


Liberty Lbrt (3) 


Necessary Ncsr (2) 


Partly Prtl (1) 


Life Lf(l) 


Need Nd (3) 


Party Prt (1) 


Limit Lmt (3) 


Neglect Ngl(2) 


Pass Ps (1) 


Line Ln (1) 


Negligence Nglnc (2) 


Pay Pa (2) 


Little Ltl (3) 


Neighbor Nbr (2) 


Payment Pamnt (2) 


Live Lv (3) 


Neighborhood 


Peculiar Pcu (3) 


Long Lng(l) 


Nbrhd (3) 


People Pp (3) 


Look Lk (3) 


North Nrh (2) 


Person Prsn (2) 


Low Lw (2) 


Notice Ntc (2) 


Per Annum Pr An (1) 



CONDENSED LONG-HAND. 



17 



Per cent Pr Ct (2) 
Perceive Prcv (3) 
Perfect Prfct (2) 
Perform Prfm (1) 
Period Prd (3) 
Permanent Prmnt (2) 
Permit Prmt (3) 
Place Pic (2) 
Please Plz (3) 
Pleasure Plzr (2) 
Point Pnt (1) 
Policy Pol (1) 
Popular Pplr(3) 
Portion Prtn (2) 
Position Pstn (3) 
Positive Pstv (3) 
Possess Pss (2) 
Possession Pssn (2) 
Possible Psbl (2) 
Power Pwr (3) 
Practice Prcts (3) 
Precious Prss (2) 
Prefer Prfr (3) 
Prepare Prpr (2) 
Present Prsnt (2) 
Principal Ppl (1) 
Privilege Prvg (3) 
Procure Prcu (3) 
Produce Prdc (3) 
Profess Prfs (2) 
Profession Prfsn (2) 
Profit Prft(l) 
Profitable Prftbl (1) 
Progress Prgrs (1) 
Prominent Prmnt (1) 
Prompt Prmt (1) 
Proof Pf(3) 
Proper Prpr (1) 
Property Prprt (1) 
Proportion Prptn (2) 



Propose Prps (2) 
Prove Prv (3) 
Public Pb (2) 
Purpose Prpos (2) 
Pursue Prsu (3) 
Put Pt(3) 
Question Q (2) 
Quick Qk (3) 
Quiet Qet (1) 
Quite Qt (1) 
Rail-road Rlrd (2) 
Raise Rz (2) 
Ran Ran (1) 
Rate Rt (2) 
Read Rd (3) 
Ready Rdy (2) 
Real Rl (3) 
Reason Rzn (3) 
Receive Rev (3) 
Receipt Ret (3) 
Recollect Relet (2) 
Recommend 

Rcmnd (2) 
Refer Rfr (2) 
Refuse Rfz (3) 
Regard Rgd (1) 
Regular Rg (2) 
Relate Rlt (2) 
Relation Rltn (2) 
Remain Rmn (2) 
Remark Rmk (1) 
Remarkable Rmkbl(l) 
Remember Rmbr (2) 
Render Rndr (2) 
Repeat Rpt (3) 
Reply Rpl (1) 
Report Rprt (2) 
Represent Rprsnt (2) 
Request Rqst (2) 
Require Rqr (1) 
Respect Rspct (2) 



Respectable 

Rspctbl (2) 

Responsible 

Rspnsbl (1) 

Return Rtrn (1) 
Rise Rz (1) 
Room Rm (3) 
Round Rnd (3) 
Run Rn (2) 
Sake Sk(2) 
Sale SI (2) 
Said Sad (2) 
Satisfy Stf (1) 
Satisfaction Stfctn (2) 
Satisfactory Stf ctry (2) 
Saw Sw (1) 
Say Sa(2) 
See S (3) 
Seek Sk(3) 
Select Slct(2) 
Sell SI (2) 
Send Snd(2) 
Sense Sns (2) 
Sensible Snsbl (2) 
Sent Snt (2) 
Separate Seprt (2) 
September Sept (2) 
Serve Srv (2) 
Servant Srvnt (2) 
Service Srvc (3) 
Settle Stl (2) 
Settlement Stlmnt (2) 
Show Sho (2) 
Sick Sk(3) 
Side Sd(l) 
Sight Sit(l) 
Sign Sn(l) 
Signify Snf (1) 
Simply Smpy (3) 
Single Sngl (3) 
Singular Snglr (3) 



18 



CONDENSED LONG-HAND. 



Sister Ss (3) 

Sit St (3) 

Situation Situ (2) 

Slow Slo (2) 

Small Sml (1) 

Society Scty (1) 

Son Sn (2) 

Sort Srt(2) 

Sought Sot (i) 

Source Src (2) 

South Sth(3) 

Space Spc (2) 

Spacious Spass (2) 

Speak Sp (3) 

Special Spc (2) 
bpcf (1) 
Splm ( l) 
Spg (3) 
Sq(2) 
Stnd(l) 



Specify 
Spoken 
Spring 
Square 
Stand 



State Stt(2) 
Statement Sttmnt (2) 
Start Strt(l) 
Station Sttn (2) 
Stay Sta(2) 
Step Step (2) 
Stood Std(3) 
Stop Stp (1) 
Street St (3) 
Strength Strgh (2) 
Strong Strg(l) 
Study Std(2) 
Subject < Sbj (2) 
Submit ' Sbmt (3) 
Substance Sbstnc (1) 
Sufficient Sfcnt (3) 
Suggest Sjst (2) 
Suggestion Fjtn(2) 
Suit St (3) 
Summer Smr (2) 
Sunday Snda (2] 



Superior Sprr (3) 
Support Sprt (2) 
Suppose Sps (2) 
Surprise Srprz (1) 
Suspect Sspct (2) 
Suspicion Ssptn (3) 
Suspicious Sspss (3) 
System Sstm (3) 
Take Tk (2) 
Taken Tkn (2) 
Taught Tot(l) 
Telegraph Tig (1) 
Telegram Tlgm (1) 
Thank 'lhk(l) 
Thing Tg(3) 
Think Ih (3) 
Thorough Thor (2) 
Thought Thot (1) 
Throw Thr(2) 
Threw M hr (3) 
Thrown Thrn (2) 
Thursday Thda (2) 
Time Tm (1) 
Tell Tl (2) 
Told II d (2) 
Took Tk (3) 
Irace Trc (2) 
Trade Trd (2) 
Travel Trvl (1) 
Traveller Trvlr (1) 
Treat Trt (3) 
Treatment Trtmnt (3) 
I Trifle TrfL (1) 
I Trouble Trbl (2) 
i Troublesome 

Trblsm (2) 

True Tr(3) 
Truth Trth(3) 
Try Tr(l) 
Tuesday Tsda (3) 
Turn Trn(2) 



Unable Nbl (2) 
Uncommon Ncmn (1) 
Undergo Ndrg (2) 
Understand 

Ndstnd (1) 
Understood Ndrstd(3) 
Undertake Ndtk (2) 
Undertook Ndtk (3) 
Undoubtedly 

Ndtdy (2) 
Uneasy Nezy (3) 
Unequal Neql (3) 
Uneven Nevn (3) 
Unexpected Nxpcd(3) 
Unfair Nfir (2) 
Unfavorable Nfvbl(2) 
Unfriendly Nfrndl(2) 
Unfortunate Nftnt(l) 
Unknown Nkn (2) 
Unhealthy Nlthy (2) 
Unhappy Nhy (1) 
Unkind Nknd (1) 
Unnatural Nnatl (1) 
Unnecessary Nncr (2) 
Unpopular Nppr (1) 
Unreasonable 

Nrzbl (3) 

Unsatisfactory 

Nstfr(3) 
Untrue Ntr (3) 
Untruth Ntrh (3) 
Unwell Nwl (2) 
Unwilling Nwllng (3) 
Use Uz (3) 
Useful Uzf(3) 
Useless Usls (3) 
Value Ylu(l) 
Valuable Vlbl (1) 
Vast Vst(l) 
View Vu (3) 
Village Vlj (3) 



CONDENSED LONG-HAND. 



19 



Virtu© Vrtu (3) 
Want Wnt(l) 
Wealth Win (2) 
Wealthy Winy (2) 
Weather Wthr (2) 
Went Wnt(2) 
West Wst(2) 



Whole HI (2) 
Wholly Hly (2) 
Wife Wf(l) 
Winter Wntr (3) 
Wish Wsh (3) 
Worth Wrh(2) 
Woman Wmn (3) 



Women Wmn (3) 
Work Wrk (1) 
Wld (1) 
Wrs (1) 
Wrst (1) 
Et(l) 



World 
Worse 
Worst 
Write 



Wrong Kng (1) 



It will doubtless occur to the learner that in many instances 
shorter abbreviations might be used than those selected. A com- 
bination of letters having been assigned to represent a word, it is 
advisable that it be uniformly used therefor, even though the deri- 
vative might be still further shortened without interfering with 
legibility. But it is better *o avoid extreme abbreviation until ex- 
perience shall show that it can be used with safety. 

PUNCTUATION. 

But little regard need be paid to punctuation when writing swift. 
An interrogation point, however, may be indicated. A comma and 
semi-colon and a period also — by the ordinary signs. 

PHRASING. 
As stated, the list of words used in the current language is com- 
paratively small. Hence, it must often happen in the construction 
of sentences, that two or more words will be grouped together in 
phrases and become familiar to the sight and. hearing The abbre- 
viations for such words may often be written without spaces being 
left between them, and the experienced and intelligent writer will 
soon learn to recognize the group of words they represent as readily 
as if each were separated by a space from the other. As the omis- 
sion of spaces will further economize finger movement, they may be 
omitted to the extent that they will accelerate speed and not impair 
legibility. It is difficult to lay down a rule which will exactly define 
the extent to which this expedient may be applied ; it must be de- 
termined by experience and the necessity shown for its employ- 
ment. But, as a guide to the learner, the following general state- 
ment will be found of service : 



Whenever two or more words occur so frequently together that 
their abbreviations can, with safety, be written without spaces, 



20 



CONDENSED LONG-HAND. 



and with no more thought than would be required to write them 
separately, and the abbreviations thus made can be easily read — 
then spaces may be omitted in every case. 

The position of the first word determines the position of the 
phrase. 



The following examples of phrases will illustrate the application 
of this principle : 



It is very necessary that 

Tisvrncstt (3) 
I have no doubt of it Ivndtot (1) 
As soon as possible Azsnazpsbl(l) 
At the present moment 

Atthprsntmmnt (1) 



At the time of Atthtmo (1) 
To a great extent Tagrtxtnt (3) 
There was nobody there 

Thrwznbdthr (2) 
Under the circumstances 

Ndrthcrcmstncz (2) 



This expedient for saving finger movement is familiar to fast 
writers who, in practical reporting, write common phrases, without 
lifting the pen from the paper, and the group of words thus written 
are to them as legible as though each word had been written apart 
from the others. 

It is well for the student, however, in his early practice to exer- 
cise some degree of care in tne making of phrases ; and in all cases 
to feel a reasonable assurance that the words occur in connection 
with such frequency that they can, with experience, be written 
without a conscious effort of the mind being employed to group 
them together. 

To attempt to prepare a list of phrases which can be safely made, 
would be a useless task, for the combinations of common words are 
so numerous that they would suffice to fill a book of themselves. 
A few examples need only be given by way of illustration, and the 
study of these will disclose the methods at present in use. By a 
little practice the requirements for every pursuit can easily be 
obtained. 

A LIST OF ORDINARY PHRASES. 



As a matter of course 

Azamtrocrs (1) 
As near as I can remember 

Aznrazicnrmbr (1) 



As if it had been Azifthdbn (1) 
At liberty to Atlbrtt (1) 
As I regard it now 

Azirgrdtnw (1) 



CONDENSED 


LONG-HAND. 21 


At first Atfrst (1) 


For several weeks Fsvwks (1) 


As great as Azgrtaz (1) 


For several years Fsvryrs (1) 


At some time Atsmtm (1) 


For themselves Fthmsvs (1) 


As much as possible 


From place to place 


Azmchazpsbl (1 ) 


Frmplctplc (1) 


Are you sure Bysur (1) 


For the most part Fthmstprt (1) 


At all events Atalevnts (1) 


From that time to the present 


Anything like it Aythylkt (1) 


Frmtttmtthprsnt (1) 


As many as possible 


For ever and ever Frev&ev (2) 


Azmnyazpsbl (1) 


For instance Frinstnc (1) 


As good as can be Azgdazcnb (1) 


For a long time Fralngtm (1) 


At that time Attttm (1) 


For some time Frsmtm (1) 


Any more than Aymrthn (1) 


How many days Hmnydz (3) 


Always ready Alwzrdy (1) 


He had no reason for it 


As sure as Azsuraz (1) 


Hhdnrznfrt (3) 


All that can be done 


He stated to me that it was so 


Alttcnbdn (1) 


Hsttdtmtttwzs (3) 


As it would Aztwd (1) 


He is out of town Hisototn (3) 


As it seems to me Aztsmstm(l) 


He is most likely to 


Any more than Aymrthn (1) 


HismstUdyt (3) 


By which means Bywchmns(l) 


He may not have had 


By itself Bytsf (] ) 


Hmntvhd (3) 


By mail Byml (1) 


Have you stated all you recollect 


Be likely to know Blklytn (3) 


Hvysttdalyrclct (2) 


By means of which 


Human beings Hmnbngs (3) 


Bmnsowch (1) 


Have you made Hvymd (1) 


By telegraph By tig (1) 


Human nature Hmnntr (3) 


Before this time Bfrthstm (3) 




I should not have been 


By that time Bytttm (1) 
By express Byxprs (1) 


Isdntvbn (1) 
I want to have it done 


Can it be possible Cnitbpsbl (1) 


. Iwnttvtdn 1 


■ Do you mean to say Dymntsa(3) 


I mean to be there Imntbthr (1 


Do you regard it Dyrgrdt (3) 


I expect it will be done 


Does it seem to you Dztsmty (2) 


Ixpcttwlbdn (1) 


Do you believe it is so 


I have been told that he said 


Dyblvtss (3) 


Ivbntldtthsd (1) 


Do you suppose that it will 


It is very seldom Tisvrysldm (3) 


Dyspstttl (3) 


On his part Onhzprt (1) 


Do you recollect Dyrclct (3) 


It is too much Tistmch (3) 


Do you expect that Dyxpctt (3) 


I am sure of it Iamsurot (1) 



22 



CONDENSED LONG-HAND. 



Just as far as possible 

Jstazfrazpsbl (2) 
Just as long as he can 

Jstazlngazhc (2) 
Just as well as Jstazwlaz (2) 
Just as good Jstazgd (2) 
Let us bear in mind 

Ltusbrinmnd (2) 
Let us see Ltusse (2) 
Let us consider Ltuscnsdr (2) 
Let us take into consideration 

Ltustkntcnsdrtn (2) 
Long time ago Lngtmago (1) 
Let us be sure that Ltusbsrtt (2) 
Let us remember Ltusrmbr (2) 
Let us take care Ltustkcr (2) 
Left hand corner Lf thndcrnr (2) 
Let me tell you Ltmtly (2) 
My dear sir Mdrsr (2)- 
More than ever Mrthnevr (2) 
My dear madam Mdrmdm (1) 
Many times Mnytms (1) 
My own opinion is Monopnis (1) 
Not necessarily Ntncsy (1) 
Not an instant Ntanistnt (2) 
No longer ago than last week 

Nlngragothnlstwk (2) 
No more than anybody else 

Nomrthnaybdels (2) 
Not a moment Ntammnt (1) 
Not now Ntnw (1) 
On all subjects Onalsbjcts (1) 
Our own Ouron (3) 
On either hand Onethrhnd (1) 
On his own account 

Onhzonacnt (1) 
On the one side Onthonsd (1) 
On that day Onttda (1) 
Post office Pstofc (2) 
Peculiar circumstances of the 
case Pculrccstnczothcs (3) 



She should have it done 

Shsdvtdn (3, 
Some other person 

Smothrprsn (1) j 
Such was my belief 

Schwzmblf (2) j 
Such as it is Schaztis (2) 
Some one or other 

Smonrothr (2) i 
That it must be Thttmstb (3) 
This morning Thsmrnng (3) 
Till it has been Tlthzbn (3) 
There can be no question about 

it Thrcnbnqabtit (2) 
The manner in which it is done j 

Thmnrinwhchtisdn (2) 
They would not have been satis- 
fied Thwdntvbnstsfd (2) 
To some extent Tsmxtnt (3) 
They are very likely to be 

Thrvrylklytb (2) 
They think that they will 

r ] hthnkttthwl (2) 
Under ordinary circumstances 

Ndrordyccstncz (2) 
Until it has been Ntlthzbn (2) 
Upon which Pnwch (2) 
Very often it is so 

Vryofntiss (2) 
Very great Vrygrt (2) 
Very much has been said 

Vrymchhzbnsd (2) 
Very soon Vrysn (2) 
Without any doubt 

Wthtaydt (3) 
"We mean to be certain 

Wmntbcrtn (3) 
When is it necessary 

WTmisitncsr (2) 
With his approval 

Wthzaprvl (3) 



CONDENSED DONG-HAND. 



23 



We hope to have Whptv (3) 
Which has been Whchsbn (3) 
We have seen him Wvsnhm (3) 
What has been done in regard to 

it Whthzbndninrgrtit (1) 
We could not understand it 

Wcdntndrstndit (3) 
Who was there Whwzthr (3) 



You may depend upon it 

Ymdpndpnt (3) 

You must admit Ymstadmt (3) 

You are certain Yrcrtn (3) 

You are quite likely to 

Yrqtlklyto (3) 

You may take charge of it 

Ymtkchgoit (3) 



The student should not be too anxious to write phrases until he 
can first read and write disjoined words with ease and facility: 
phrasing will come with practice. 

The list of words on pages 9, 10, 11 and 12 are those which are 
principally used in the construction of derivative words. Many of 
the derivatives undergo slight changes in form, generally in their 
terminal syllables. Under the rules of grammar in relation to num- 
ber, person mood or tense, such changes involve modifications m 
the abbreviations; these are in nearly all cases uniform, and may be 
included in the following rules: 

The plural of substantives is indicated by the letter S or Z, the 
use of the one or the other of the letters being determined by the 
pronunciation. 

EXAMPLES. 



Account Acnt (3) 
Advantage Adv (1) 
Accounts Acnts (3) 



Advantages Advz (1) 
Port Prt(2) 
Ports Pts (2) 



Change Chng (2) 
Changes Chnz (2) 



The third person singular of the regular verbs is indicated by the 
addition of the letter S or Z. 

EXAMPLES. 



Benefit Bnft (3) 
Expect Xpct (2) 
Hear Hr (3) 



Benefits Bnfts (3) 
Expects Xpcts (2) 
Hears Hrz (3) 



Cure Kr (3) 
Cures Krz (3) 



The imperfect tense of the regular verb is indicated by the addi- 
tion of the letter D. 

EXAMPLES. 



Form Frm (1) 
Formed Frmd (1) 



I Concern Cncrn (2) 
I Concerned Cncrnd (3) 



CONCLUSION. 

When the student has completed the course of lessons given in 
the preceding pages; he is ready to begin to put into practice what 
he has learned. He should endeavor to take notes of speeches; 
evidence of witnesses, or even the conversation around him, and 
after each exercise he must read what has been written. By con- 
tinual practice in this manner it is quite possible for him to ad- 
vance to a speed of from 125 to 150 words; although the average 
speed will be about 100 words per minute — the ordinary speed of 
an expert penman writing longhand is 35 words. Condensed Long- 
hand offers great inducements to a vast number of people, to write 
shorthand; who have not the time to devote to the study of stenog- 
raphy. Notice and you will find, there are many persons who give 
plenty of valuable time to an endeavor to acquire the art of stenog- 
raphy. But among the number there are very few who arrive at 
success. Every one can, with diligent and careful study, reach a 
certain point, a certain speed; but beyond this they cannot pass. 
Let any one, who is acquainted with stenography, look at the note 
book of a professional stenographer. I venture to say he will find 
very few forms on a page which are drawn correctly, according to 
the rules of the system written. The writer will acknowledge they 
are wrong, but he will say he can remember what was intended, 
and can easily read the outlines. The men engaged in this profes- 
sion of verbatim reporters are men possessed of extraordinary 
memories; they frequently remember what was said without hav- 
ing any signs written whatever; as, for instance, reporters on the' 
daily press writing up interviews. But for ordinary people who 
have no such gift, or training, yet who wish to save time and labor, 
and who have very few spare moments for study, and wish to reach 
a result in a shorttime, Condensed Longhand is the only sensible 
system of Shorthand. This work has been compressed from its orig- 
inal 200 pages to the present compact form in small type; for the pur- 
pose of issuing the most convenient volume Everything except what 
was absolutely necessary to present; has been omitted. Munson's 
Phonographic Dictionary published by Mr. James E. Munson, of New 
'York, contains the abbreviations for all the words in the English 
language. Although it is a Stenographic Dictionary, the forms are 
printecl in type and are exactly the same as those used in Condensed 
Long-hand, (with a few exceptions, as when a vowel begins a word.) 
The book will be found of great assistance in determining the abbrevi- 
ation or position of a doubtful word. 

As compared with any of the systems of stenography the present 
mode of writing Longhand results in the waste of about three- 
fourths of the vast amount of time and labor devoted to its use. It 
is quite unnecessary to speak of the tediousness of Long-hand; 
every writer who has used it to any considerable extent is convinced 
that it is exceedingly irksome. Its cumbersomeness has long ago 
led to the devising of numerous shorthand systems to save time 
and labor. Mr Andrew J. Graham was the first to publish a system 
of abbreviations many years ago. But his system was founded exclu- 
sively on theory. Not being successful, it performed at least one 
good and that was, the suggesting of many changes which were dis- 
covered afterward to be of value in practice. The present system 
is altogether practical and is a saving of a great amount of life ex- 
hausting labor. After a careful investigation it has been proved; 
that with the use of Condensed Longhand, a saving of fifty per 
cent is effected, and the legibility of the writing is unchanged. 






A GUIDE TO A PRACTICAL ACQUAINTANCE 

WITH THE AET OF 



CONDENSED LONG-HAND, 



WHICH THE PRINCTPAE ADVANTAGES OF SHORT- 
ED WITHOUT RESORT TO STENOGRAPHIC 
CHAI WITH PERFECT LEGD3ILITT, 



BY EUGENE BENETT. 



'•Who that is much in the habit of writing, has not often wished 
by two or three dashes of the pen, that 
i rure of time and ] 
mode of communication must be 
be cumbersome in the last degree: unworthy of the 

lire some means of bringing the operations of the 
hand, into closer correspondence. The brightest 
houghts are often marred in the writing." 



EDITION OF 2 



NEW YORK : 
•T PRICE. PRINTER. 
; tane Street. 



CONDENSED LONG-HAND. 

Condensed Longhand impresses all with an admiration 
of its simplicity and truthfulness; hundreds and thou- 
sands have studied it so far as to be able to correspond 
in it. It is by far the most philosophical, and in many 
important respects, the most useful system of shorthand 
ever devised. Such a railway system of writing enables 
the pen to keep pace with the rapid conception of thought, 
on a veiw simple, yet, entirely scientific basis. A railroad 
method of communicating thought ; a railroad by reason 
of its expedition, a railroad Jay reason of its ease; it is so 
clear as to be easily learned by every one of ordinary ca- 
pacity, and the public benefits to be derived from it are 
entirely Incalculable. It is the only mode at once philo- 
sophical and practical of writing language by abbreviations 
accurately representing the elements of which all lan- 
guage is composed. 

In these days of general acceleration, its universal use 
would ue a great benefit to the whole civilized world. It 
can be written with pleasure and comfort, and Business 
Men, Lawyers, Doctors, Students, in fact all who have 
much writing to do, will find in this system of Condensed 
Longhand, which has been proved by years of daily prac- 
tice an inestimable improvement. With it, three hours 
work can be done in one, and much unnecessary labor 
and energy saved. While Lawyers, Students, Reporters 
or others who desire to commit testimony or a lecture to 
writing will find it all that is needful for the purpose, 
making them equal to the generality of stenographers. 
Requiring such little time to master it will commend it- 
self to everyone. Its principles are the same as steno- 
graphy, and for this reason alone Condensed Longhand 
is bound to come into general us< 



